Coal plant critics urged to reconsider stance

Sunstar Davao

AMIDST a looming power crisis, Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) chair Lualhati Antonino is enjoining those protesting the coal-fired power plant proposed by the Aboitiz Group for Davao City to conduct a study first.

Antonino suggested a study of the toxicity level of the Steag power plant in Misamis Oriental.

"We should not have a one track mind, but we should not be forgetting our advocacies either," Antonino said when asked regarding her take on the issue during Thursday’s press conference prior to Minda's first board meeting.

Antonino said it would not be right if people will just agree with what other people say about coal-fired power plant without due process. It is not also fair if people will approve what others presumably think, she added.

As far as Antonino is concerned, it's not enough to just say 'I don't want this, it's bad'. "As an advocate of ecological balance, we should all know the chemical effects of the coal-fired power plant," she said, adding that it's important to ask such pertinent questions as, will this damage the soil? will this cause lung damage? "We have to ask questions and not just rally against it," Antonino said.

She added that she was invited to visit Steag, where she saw the smoke emitted by the power plant's chimneys. The smoke was clear as the clouds and the ashes gathered from the plant are collected and made into bricks, providing livelihood to the townsfolk. There are ways to test if the Steag coal-fired power plant is not safe for the environment, Antonio said.

"They can test the site for mercury tailings and check the mercury content and other chemical content that may harm the environment as well as people's health," she said.

She noted that "as coal-fired power plants are the cheapest alternative, solar energy is expensive and will cost millions... There are advantages and disadvantages that we have to substantially consider."

Meanwhile, Iligan Mayor Lawrence Cruz said they are still looking for an alternative power source. He stressed that social acceptability is most important before allowing any power plant to operate. (Carmelle Marie Harrow)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on January 21, 2011.